JosephineGazda

Josephine Gazda 1921 - 2013 SPRINGFIELD - Josephine (Janik) Gazda 91 of Springfield entered into eternal peace Thursday February 21, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at Wingate of Wilbraham Nursing Home. Born in Chicopee, MA in an era before TV on March 19, 1921 she was the youngest child of Wojciech and Katherine (Kozinkiewicz) Janik. Josie graduated from Holyoke High School in 1938, finding joy and success in sports. She lettered in 6 sports her senior year and was voted the outstanding female athlete. Josephine worked many years at Towers and Bradlees department stores, retiring in 1986. Here she astutely capitalized on many 25 cent bargains with a sense of thriftiness that was fostered from being a Depression era child. Josie's lucky four leaf clovers were plentiful. Perhaps she found a map to a leprechaun patch amongst the many Celtics and Red Sox lottery tickets she received. Her gift to all friends and family was a yearly birthday serenade with harmonica which will surely be missed as will all her stories of times long past and the wit that she exhibited throughout her life. Josephine was predeceased by her husband of 67 years. Edward H. Gazda and her siblings Helen Pulaski, Stanislaw Janik and Leon Janik. She is survived by 3 sons; Edward S. Gazda and his wife Julie, Stanley Gazda, and Robert Gazda and his wife Lorraine. Josie was a great grandmother of 6 and an inspiration to her 8 grandchildren. Mary Kollar, Kathy DaCruz, Carol Burke, David Gazda, Lauren Taubman, Nichols Gazda, Rachel Gazda and Rebecca Gazda. Special appreciation is extended to Julie Gazda and Lorraine Gazda for their care of Josephine during hospice and as a resident of Wingate. Not to be forgotten are the many dedicated nurses and aides who visited and assisted Josephine on a daily basis, and Dorilla Reeves for her companionship. Also for their lifelong friendships are family members Mary Laskowski, Julia Wegiel and Nellie Kusek with who many pierogi were pinched. Funeral services celebrating her life will be Tuesday February 26, 2013 with family and friends gathering at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home 64 Sewall St. Ludlow at 8:45 AM to be followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in Immaculate Conception Church at 10 AM, where Josephine was a member of the Rosary Sodality. Rites of committal will follow in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home Monday evening from 5-7 PM. Donations in her memory may be made to Wing Hospice and VNA 40 Wright St. Palmer, MA 01069 or Shriner's Hospital for Children 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104 For further information, directions, and on line guest book please visit www.KapinosMazurFH.com Independently Owned and Operated Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home and Cremation With Confidence by Kapinos-Mazur "Care For The Community Since 1932"